The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-20
HE,WIIL NOT CO..
President Cleveland Withdraws Hi
Promise to-Yisit St: Louis.

|
Grand Army encampment; as will be seen by
the following letter from the President to
Mayor Francis.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, |
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 4, 1887.
Hon. Dauid Il. Francis, Mayor and Chair
NY DEAR srR-when received the ex-
tremely cordial and gratifying invitation
by number of her representative men,
to visit that city during the nation
al encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic, had been contem-
plating for some time the acceptance of
the invitation from that organization to the
same effect, and had considered the pleasure
/ which it would afford me if it should be pos
sible to meet, not only members of the Grand
Army, but the people Of st Louis and other
cities in the West, which the occasion would
give me an opportunity to visit The
! eXactions Of my public duties felt to be so
uncertain, however, that when first con-
| fronted by the delegation of which you were
the head, expected to do no more at that
time than to promise the consideration of the
double invitation rendered me, and express
the pleasure it would give me to accept the
same thereafter, if possible.
But the cordiality and sincerity Of your
presentation, reinforced by the heartiness of
the people who surrounded you, so impressed
me that l could not resist the feeling which
prompted me to assure you on the spot that
would be with you and the Grand Army of
the Republic at the time designated if nothing
happened in the. meantime to absolutely pre-
vent my leaving Washington.
Immediately upon the public announcement
of this conclusion, expressions emanating
from certain important members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, and increasing
IN volume and virulence, constrained me
to review my acceptance of these in
vitations. The expressions referred to 20
to the extent Of declaring that I would
be an unwelcome guest at the time and place
of the national encampment. This state.
ment is based, as we'll as can Judge, upon
certain official acts of mine involving i'm
portant public interests, done under the re-
straints and obligations of my oath Of Office,
which do not appear to accord with the
wishes of some members Of the Grand Army
of the Republic.
refuse to believe that this organization,
founded upon patriotic ideas, composed very
largely of men entitled to lasting honor and
consideration, and whose crowning glory it
should be that they are American citizens as
well as veteran soldiers, deems it
part OF its mission to compass any
object or purpose by attempting to intimi-
date the Executive or coerce those charged
with making and executing the laws. And
yet the expressions to which have referred
indicate such prevalence Of unfriendly feel
ing and such menace to an occasion which
should be harmonious; peaceful and cordial,
that they cannot be ignored.
I beg you to understand that am not con.
scious of any act of mine which should make
me fear to meet the Grand Army Of the Re-
public or any other assemblage of my fellow
citizens. The account of my official steward
ship is always ready for presentation to my
countrymen.. should not be frank if
I failed to confess. while disclaining all re-
sentiment that I have bean hurt by the un-
worthy and wanton attacks upon me grow
ing out Of thu matter, and the reckless manner
in which my actions and motives have been
misrepresented, both publicly and privately,
for which, however, the Grand Army of the
Republic, as body, is by no means re-
sponsible.
The threat of personal violence and harm
in case l undertake the trip in question, which
scores of misguided, unbalanced men under
the stimulation of excited feeling have made,
abandon my visit to the Wesi
and disappoint your citizens I might,
if l alone were concerned, submit to
the insult, to which it is quite openly asserted
would be hopelessly subiectel if present at
the encampmeat: bat should bear with me
the peoples highest Office, the dignity of
which l must protect, and l believe
that neither the Grand Army of
the Republic as IN organization nor
would ever encourage any scandalous attack
upon it. It, however, among the member
ship of this body there are some, as certainly
seems to be the case, determined to denounce
me and my official acts at the national
encampment 1 believe they should be
permitted to do 50 uurestrained by
my presence as n guest of their organiza-
ton or as a guest of the hospitable city in
which their meeting is held. A num-
fed their intention;I am informed, to remain
away from the encampment in case visit
the city at that time. Without consd-
ering the merit of such an excuse,
feel that ought not to be the cause of such
non-attendance. The time and place of the
encampment were fixed long before my in
vitations were received. Those desirous to
participate in its proceedings should be first
regarded, and nothing should be permitted to
interfere with their intentions
Another consideration of more Importance
than all others remains to be noticed. The
fact was referred to by you when you verbal
ly presented the invitation Of the citizens of
st. Louis that the coming encampment OF the
Grand Army of the Republic would
be the first held in Southern
State. I suppose this fact was mentioned
as pleasing incident of the fraternal feeling
fast gaining ground throughout the entire
land and hailed by every patriotic citizen as an
earnest that the Union has really and in fact
been saved in sentiment AMI spirit, with all
-" benefits it YOU u"hsafcs to united peop'e.
I cannot rid myself of the belief that the |
least discord on thispropitious occasion might !
retard the progress of the sentiment Of COM
mon brotherhood which the Grand Army of |
the Republic has so good all opportunity to |
increase and foster / certainly ought not to |
be the cause of such discord in any event |
or upon any prctext 1t seems to me that |
you and the citizens of st. L ouis are entitled |
to this unres srved statement Of the conditions
which have constrained me to forego my
visit and to withdraw my ac-
ceptance of your invitation.
My presence in your city at the time YOU
have indicated can be Of but little moment
with the Importance of a cordial
and harmonious entertainment of your other
guests. assure you that abandon my plan
without the least personal feeling or regret,
thereto by a sense OF duty, actu-
ated by a desire to save any embarrassment !,
10 the people of st. Louis or their expected
guests, and with heart full of grateful ap-
probation of the sincere and unaffected kind
ness of your citizens.
Hoping the encampment may be an oc-
,aSion of much usefulness, and that its pro-
,eedings may illustrate the highest patriotism
If American citizenship, 1 am, yours very